How to Coach Yourself and Others Popular Models for Coaching | Page 175
Furthermore the Skilled Helper remains in a state of external
sensory awareness and retains an awareness of their coachee's
non-verbal communications.
Effective Listening - SOLER
Effective listening is key to being a Skilled Helper. It consists of
various skills, which Egan covers with the acronym: SOLER.
S.
O.
L.
E.
R.
If it suits them, face the coachee Squarely
Maintain an Open Posture with the coachee.
Lean towards the coachee (as appropriate).
Maintain appropriate Eye Contact with the coachee.
Be a Relaxed helper as by doing so you greatly improve
the quality and comfort of the sessions.
Active Listening & Empathy
Active Listening is a key skill for any coach. It consists in
concentrating on the coachee's non-verbal and verbal
communication and relating them to the coachee’s story.
Non-verbal
communication
expressions, reactions, etc.
includes
body
language,
Verbal communication articulates the coachee's experiences,
behaviours and feelings.
The Coach encourages the coachee to stick to the point (what is
relevant), they are non-judgemental and they are Empathic
rather than sympathetic.
Appropriate Empathy is a state of human interaction in which
the helper enters and understands the coachee's perspective,
whilst getting in touch with their thoughts and feelings.
However, in this the helper remains rational in their
understanding of the coachee's situation and reality.
177